Hispanic Federation’s Hispanic Education Summit in November 2015 convened multiple stakeholders in New York City to address the critical educational challenges facing Latino families. HES focused on six key areas: Latino Student Success (K – 12), Parent Empowerment, College Success, Community Schools, Supporting Great Teachers and Operation STEAM. In order to begin work on these issues, HF convened its CREAR Coalition recently. Consisting of member agency nonprofits and community partners focused on education, the CREAR Coalition met to draft strategies to implement the recommendations made during the HES.

The first meeting included dividing coalition members into two focus groups, one targeting the issues of Latino Student Success (K – 12), and the other zeroing-in on Community Schools.

“The HES is a source of great insight and strategic thinking about education policy in our community,” said HF President José Calderón. “Our job is to turn insights into action. The meetings of the CREAR Coalition help us devise specific goals and a plan of action for making change. It’s where the rubber meets the road.”

The proceedings of the HES will be available to the public in early spring. In the meantime, the next meeting of the CREAR Coalition will take place on Wednesday, February 17th. We’re excited for what’s ahead.